Digital BW, The Print

> 
> > I find the bronzing and gloss differential with the new MIS inks to be
> > rather minimal on many glossy papers.
> >
> > Paul
> > www.PaulRoark.com
> >
> 
> What new inks are you referring to -- UT7 with Eboni?

About a year ago MIS started using a new base for all the UT type inks, not
the Eboni.  The new base made a very significant improvement in bronzing.
The gloss differential depends on what paper and black is being used.  I,
frankly, thing the dual dark gray ink generation of the black on glossy
paper, like is done with UT7 on the 2200 with curves does a good job of
avoiding the dulling that can happen with MIS PK.  The 2 dark grays can lay
down a dmax that is as good as the PK, but they are lower pigment load inks.
So, I think there is a better coating with the base that makes the
difference.


> How do the new MIS inks compare with the K3 2400 system regarding
> bronzing, and on what papers?

The uncoated MIS pigs are lower gloss and have less bronzing, but I have not
done a lot of work comparing the color inksets in a 2400.  Again, the PK
gloss differential issue is one I'm not certain on.  The MIS K4 PK uses a
lower load than the older PK.  Whether it can retain the same gloss as the
midtones is something I'm not sure of.  The coated PK seems to have the best
dmax and gloss retention there.  Balancing the gloss differential versus the
dmax is tricky.  That's why I mixed a special PKN for the 220.  I and some
others have tried Epson PK with MIS midtones, but then we tended to get a
transition area between the coated and uncoated pigs that looked rough.  I
think I'm still of the opinion the dual dark gray solution looks the best
with the uncoated pigs -- it's the same inks all the way down, with a
relatively low load of pigs and lots of base to coat them.  However, that
would be with the UT2 and UT7, not the 2400 with color inks.

> And......would YOU display prints on these papers without coating them?

I use Kirkland glossy paper, un-coated for brochures.  I think they look
fine.  Premium Semimatte and the beta Silver Rag also looked like they'd be
OK un-coated.  For display prints I still use matte paper -- no reflection
at all and easier to mount.  Frankly my reaction to the Silver Rag was that
they may have a paper that comes close to the fabled silver print, but after
getting used to matte papers, I'm not sure I want to go back to the silver
print look for display prints.

Paul
www.PaulRoark.com